The Milwaukee Bucks are facing the possibility of starting their postseason without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo due to a left calf strain. Despite optimism that continued treatment could potentially have him return later in the series against the Indiana Pacers, Antetokounmpo’s injury forced him to sit out the final three games of the regular season. This resulted in the Bucks slipping from the No. 2 seed to the third seed in the Eastern Conference.
As a consequence of Antetokounmpo’s injury, the odds of the Bucks defeating the Pacers in the opening round of the playoffs shifted from -180 to -135 at DraftKings Sportsbook. The Pacers’ odds improved from +145 to +110, with the shortest odds for the exact outcome of the series being Bucks 4-3 at +290. The second-shortest odds are now Pacers 4-2 at +400, indicating a potentially close series between the two teams.
Despite the Bucks’ struggles in the final weeks of the regular season, Antetokounmpo had an impressive MVP-worthy campaign, averaging 30.4 points on 61% shooting, along with 11.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game. However, the team will have to navigate through the postseason without their star player if he is unable to return against the Pacers. The Bucks are looking to avoid a repeat of last year’s disappointment of being upset in the playoffs.
The Bucks’ recent record of 3-8 in their final 11 games, including losses to lower-seeded teams like the Washington Wizards, Memphis Grizzlies, and Toronto Raptors, has raised concerns about their ability to perform in crucial moments. With a 17-19 record since Doc Rivers took over as head coach, the team will have to find a way to overcome their recent struggles and put together a strong postseason performance.
Facing a resilient Pacers team that won four of the five matchups against the Bucks this season, Milwaukee will have to rely on their depth and resilience to advance in the playoffs without Antetokounmpo. The injury to their star player adds another layer of challenge for the Bucks in a highly competitive Eastern Conference. As the postseason opens up this weekend, all eyes will be on how the Bucks respond to adversity and whether they can secure a victory against the Pacers to advance to the next round.
